E-LEARNING AND EDUCATION IN IRAN

Development is a continuous process. Each new development of larger social relevance brings new opportunities to the respective field. The field of education has no exception to this. To provide and get education is one of the characteristics that differentiate human beings from other living things. And for better education human beings are continuously improving their teaching-learning tools and techniques. Every society has a unique cultural and socio-economic heritage, and the Iranian society is known for its passion for education. This passion contributed to Iranian economic development. The rapid growth of information technologies has influenced the way in which education is delivered and experienced. One of the most cost effective methods that can reach a large part of the society in a short time is to integrate ICT in education through e-learning initiatives. However, in Iran elearning initiatives are challenged by limited or lack of connectivity, especially those in rural and remote areas. The present boom of ICT has its own very special impact on education. This impact of ICT is noticeable in formal and informal education, traditional and professional education as well as at all levels of education. The most recent influence of the ICT in the field of education is recognized as e-learning. E-learning has many other nomenclatures such as computer assisted instruction, computer-based training, online education, web-based training, etc. E-learning may be defined as education that is delivered or learning that is conducted using Web techniques. E-learning is learning enabled by the electronic media. It is a learning facilitated by the application of ICT. E-learning is a process of education using computer, telecommunication, networks, and storage technology. Broadband technologies offer the potential to overcome many unique challenges and traditional limitations that characterize the rural economy, particularly those associated with distance and access. Citizens of rural and remote areas have similar needs to those of urban areas, but are disadvantaged in a number of ways. E-Learning has been considered in the broadest possible way to include a range of informal learning opportunities ranging from information portals to community networking, as well as the obvious formal education and training courses. Some of the following point about this paper is:
1. A high degree of responsibility for the final implementation rests on the facilitator who plays a key role in the success of it.
2. Rural schools can certainly take advantage of the vast amount of digital content on CDs and on the web.
3. The social structures and human processes that need to be re-engineered before the transformative potential of the new technology can be fully realized.
In this paper, the discussion is about e-Learning in context of education in Iran. The objective of this discussion is to analyze what have we achieved so far, and what else we need to do make e-Learning a major success which transforms Iran. Why e-Learning is important to solve Iran's need for trained. So, in this paper, we start with the fact that e-Learning is a need for Iran, to help Iran achieve its growth targets. Based on this fact, we try to figure out how do we reach there?